Green Tea – Benefits and More

  • Jul 14, 2022

Green tea is internationally hailed for its health-boosting properties and recognized as a superfood, often featured in eating plans, functional foods, and even cosmetics. So, what makes this refreshing drink such a powerful addition to your diet? Join us as we unpack the composition of green tea and how its bioactive compounds could benefit your health.
 
The Bioactive Compounds in Green Tea
Green tea, like all non-herbal teas, comes from the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. The tea is less processed than black and oolong teas, helping it retain its antioxidant properties. While green tea has virtually no nutritional value in terms of macronutrients, it is rich in bioactive compounds that exhibit beneficial interactions with human cells.
 
A group of bioactive compounds called polyphenols, including flavanols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, account for up to 30% of green tea’s dry weight1. Flavanols are commonly called catechins, of which there are four major types in green tea:

  • Epicatechin
  • Epigallocatechin
  • Epicatechin-3-gallate
  • EGCG

Many studies suggest that consuming tea catechins may protect the body against degenerative diseases and improve overall physical health.
 
6 Health Benefits of Green Tea

  1. May support brain health
    Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine which works alongside caffeine to boost memory, mood, and focus without causing overstimulation. The bioactive compounds in the tea may also protect your brain from degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
  2. May help reduce the risk of some cancers
    Green tea has antioxidant, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic properties that studies2 suggest may help reduce the risk of developing various cancers, including lung, colon, and breast cancer.
  3. May aid in weight loss
    Some studies have found that drinking green tea temporarily increases metabolic rate, which may be beneficial for people trying to lose weight. The caffeine in the tea may also suppress your appetite and enhance exercise performance.
  4. May support cardiovascular health
    Green tea contains antioxidants that studies show can reduce your overall cholesterol levels and cholesterol oxidation in the blood, which leads to heart disease. Numerous studies also suggest that green tea can lower blood pressure and decrease inflammation.
  5. May improve oral health
    Green tea is a natural anti-inflammatory that may help fight gum and mouth inflammation and infections. Studies3 show that catechins in green tea can inhibit the growth of various mouth bacteria that can lead to gum diseases such as gingivitis.
  6. May aid in blood sugar control

Many studies report that green tea can help lower blood glucose levels4 and improve insulin absorption. Drinking green tea may benefit people who suffer from type-2 diabetes or hyperglycaemia.
 
Using Green Tea Extract in Functional Foods
Most scientific studies on the effects of green tea and its bioactive compounds use green tea extract in their experiments. The extract is a more potent form of the tea, with higher levels of catechins and increased bioactivity. Here are some popular uses for green tea extract in consumer products:

  • Matcha (ground green tea leaves) in lattes and smoothies, often paired with vanilla.
  • Green tea in skincare is often paired with coconut, aloe vera, hemp extract, and other moisturizing, anti-inflammatory ingredients.
  • Weight-loss supplements often contain green tea extract alongside blood-orange, ginger, and ginseng.

Green tea is a powerful superfood with high bioactivity levels, and adding green tea extract to consumer products could have many health benefits. Advanced Biotech supplies a range of high-quality natural extracts to the food and beverage industry. Please contact us for more information.

1,2,4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855614/
3 https://journals.lww.com/jfmpc/Fulltext/2021/11000/Therapeutic_effects_of_green_tea_as_an_antioxidant.10.aspx